Welcome to I-LIST,INSPIRELLE‘s little black book, … a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
Looking for a party venue or a medical specialist? A place to pamper yourself or activities for your kids? We list only “les bonnes adresses” that have been tried and tested by INSPIRELLE‘s network of trusted friends. Check back often, as we’ll keep adding new ones!

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For over a century, Angelina’s has built a reputation as a place of sophistication and indulgence. Its renowned Africanhot chocolate is so thick that you almost feel like you’re digging into a bowl of soup. It’s made from three types of African chocolate from Nigeria, Ghana and the Ivory Coast and is made especially for Angelina’s. It is a beautiful place where the likes of Proust and Coco Chanel frequented. While you’re there, be sure to try the Mont Blanc, Angelina’s trademark pastry since 1903!

The merveilleux (marvelous) is a small cake that originated in Belgium and is now found in France and some US cities. Baker, Frédéric Vaucamp, fell in love with the cakes at an early age. His famous cakes are now sold in 5 locations in Paris as well as numerous other locations across Europe and in New York City.

The ice cream shop where you hear La Vie en Rose playing in the background as you enjoy a scoop (or two!) on the picturesque bridge connecting the two islands, Ile Saint Louis and Ile de la Cité. All of the flavors are delicious, if you actually manage to choose from the incredible selection chez Berthillon!

We could spend hours in one of Paris’s original department stores, where you can find everything from high-end art supplies and stationery to an eclectic selection of lighting for your home, to curtains and doorknobs, or specialty items for home maintenance, decoration and repair, to clothing, shoes and accessories for the whole family. And in the summers you can enjoy evening drinks on the rooftop at the Perchoir Marais (entrance at 37 rue de la Verrerie)

Located on a tiny island 5 minutes by car from Étoile in Paris, this spacious loft style brasserie is housed in a 19th-century building with a dinosaur skeleton suspended above the entire dining room. They also offer a weekend brunch menu with freshly squeezed juices, mini viennosseries such as “feuilletée au Nutella” for chocolate lovers, an appetizing selection of antipasti and Italian desserts.

Just a few meters away from the beautiful Opéra Garnier, the Grand Hotel serves a delicious hot chocolate in its adjoining restaurant and bar, Café de la Paix. You can ask for the chocolate to be fort en goût (very strong) or touché delicate (delicate touch) depending on your preference. Hot chocolate is served all day and even late into the evening, so it’s perfect for that late night craving. It’s another pricey venue but the place itself is stunning and the hot chocolate is wonderful.

Café Marlette is an adorable, quirky place where you can find homemade BIO food, gluten free cakes and delicious coffee. They also do incredible BIO breakfasts, brunches and lunches as well as snacks for l’heure du goûter

A small Mexican restaurant in the third arrondissement where the lack of space (and maybe the strength of the frozen margaritas) means that you naturally get to know your neighbor. There is even a small speakeasy hidden at the back of the restaurant behind a white, unmarked door.

We adore this charming, chalet-style restaurant and event space on its own island in the Bois de Boulogne in the West end of Paris. The voyage there itself is unique – you can row, yes we said row, your way across the lake. Or, you can park and then take a ferry from the public parking area (free for restaurant goers, 1,50€ round-trip for island hoppers). On fine days, you can pack a picnic and find a spot of grass to spread out. Or, you can book a brunch at their elegant restaurant.

This chocolate shop has got that extra special something. Chloé Doutre-Roussel is extremely passionate about chocolate, offering not only delicious hot chocolate but also chocolate tours and chocolate tasting lessons! Her hot chocolate is from Bolivia and is melted in hot milk before sugar is added. It is 85% pure elixir that is one of the most refined hot chocolates I’ve ever tasted. Since Chloé’s is such a unique place, appointments must be made before you can taste her one of a kind hot chocolate.

Once known as the original American diner in Paris,Coffee Parisiennow boasts 3 restaurants, with talk of a fourth opening!Count on American staples like eggs benedict, bagels with cream cheese and lox or French toast with grapefruit. For a French touch, enjoy a big cup ofcafé au lait.

Crom’Exquis is a gourmet restaurant in the 8th arrondissement, which serves up traditional French food, using the finest produce, including its own garden products such as pea shoots, red shiso and cress. On Saturday evenings, we highly recommend you join the chef, Pierre Meneau, at his table d’hôte (host’s table) where he indulges his creativity. Only three tables are available, so book ahead! Read our review of Crom’Exquis here!

It’s not often that you walk into a restaurant that looks like you’re in a shabby chic, Parisian apartment; but when you do, you’re in for a real treat. Here, you’ll find guests drinking, dining and flirting in the bedroom, living room, dining room or boudoir, making themselves quite literally “at home”. There’s even a Ping-Pong table and a smoking room hidden behind a mirrored wardrobe… trèschic.

Missing those tea and crumpets from back home? Located on the east side of Paris, this specialty grocery store offers more than 800 products not only from the British isles, but also some well-liked yearned for American specialities. The boutique was established in 1993 and now offers online shopping, too.